In the late 1970s, when I was 16-years-old, I went to see the live performance of Elvin Bishop in concert at the La Paloma. “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” was his hit song that had been getting a lot of radio play. We, in fact, were invited to the party upstairs. A fair number of people were at the party, maybe 25 people, and most were standing and mingling. We watched the concert from a room that had a whole wall missing on one side, you might say. I think this was also the projection room. Sitting in that space, the view was of the stage (and from that vantage point, we also looked out, over the audience). When facing the stage, from this upstairs space, to the right was what I was told was an apartment. Partygoers were welcome in this very small apartment as well. It was definitely residential—not a public space at all. I have vague, visual-memory recall that there was only one small bedroom, but since it was so long ago (about 42 years!), I’m not sure if it truly was just a one-bedroom apartment—but that’s how I’m remembering it. There was a short wait (a line of 3 or 4 women) to use the one toilet, private bathroom. We also were able to walk out onto the roof, like it was an outdoor patio. I could tell the building was very old. It was in good condition, with nothing seeming to be particularly run-down. The La Paloma held extraordinary vintage charm! I enjoyed the music and I’d say a fun time was had by all that night. Actually, it’s one of my most favorite memories!
In the late 1970s, when I was 16-years-old, I went to see the live performance of Elvin Bishop in concert at the La Paloma. “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” was his hit song that had been getting a lot of radio play. We, in fact, were invited to the party upstairs. A fair number of people were at the party, maybe 25 people, and most were standing and mingling. We watched the concert from a room that had a whole wall missing on one side, you might say. I think this was also the projection room. Sitting in that space, the view was of the stage (and from that vantage point, we also looked out, over the audience). When facing the stage, from this upstairs space, to the right was what I was told was an apartment. Partygoers were welcome in this very small apartment as well. It was definitely residential—not a public space at all. I have vague, visual-memory recall that there was only one small bedroom, but since it was so long ago (about 42 years!), I’m not sure if it truly was just a one-bedroom apartment—but that’s how I’m remembering it. There was a short wait (a line of 3 or 4 women) to use the one toilet, private bathroom. We also were able to walk out onto the roof, like it was an outdoor patio. I could tell the building was very old. It was in good condition, with nothing seeming to be particularly run-down. The La Paloma held extraordinary vintage charm! I enjoyed the music and I’d say a fun time was had by all that night. Actually, it’s one of my most favorite memories!